Moving On
Disclaimer: I obviously still do not own the rights to CSI.
Chapter Five
The last two weeks at the lab went by pretty quickly. Grissom seemed to be keeping the distance he had been trying to keep for the last year or so. The other CSIs were paying a little more attention to her. Since the team had split, everyone had formed little groups and left Sara pretty much on her own. Now they seemed to be trying to include her a little more, which was ridiculous because she was actually leaving. At any rate, she really didn't mind it because she was going to be leaving soon and she wouldn't have to worry about Las Vegas anymore. When she got to Denver, she intended to try and put Las Vegas and everything connected to it out of her mind.
On the very last day of work, Sara was walking through the lab. She headed to the break room and thought about turning back when she heard several people in there. She wasn't really in the mood for everyone, particularly Sofia, whose voice she could hear clearly. Lately, just seeing Sofia put Sara into a bad mood. She could just picture her flirting with Grissom and it made her crazy. She decided to go in anyway, as it was her last day and she wouldn't have to worry about them after today.
When Sara entered the break room, everyone was in there, the current night shift and the swing shift member that used to work with her. Jim Brass was present too. Grissom was even there, although looking a little like he didn't want to be.
"Oh crap, she's here!" Greg announced.
"Well hello to you too," Sara laughed.
"It's supposed to be a surprise party, but you people weren't paying attention," Greg glared at the rest of the CSIs.
"It's okay, I'm surprised anyway," Sara smiled, "you guys didn't have to throw a party for me."
"Come on Sara, you've worked here for five years, you think we'd let you get away without a party?" Nick asked.
"I was hoping so," Sara winked, "you know I'm not big on parties."
"Neither am I," Grissom added, "but it really bugs Ecklie, so it's worth it."
"Oh and the fact that I'm leaving is just an added bonus?" Sara asked.
"That's not what I meant," Grissom sighed.
"I'm just kidding," Sara smiled.
"Hey this is a party, so let's get to the fun," Warrick said.
"Cake anyone?" Catherine asked.
"You better believe it," Greg rubbed his hands together.
"Hey, this is Sara's party, she gets the first piece," Nick motioned for Sara to grab the first piece.
"Ladies first, Greggo," Sara grinned as she took the first piece of cake. Upon closer inspection the cake had "Farewell Sara" written across it in frosting.
After a while, it was time for the swing shift CSIs to be heading back to work. Catherine made Sara come to her office before she had to hand out assignments.
"Look, you and I have butted heads several times, and I know we both say things we don't mean. So I just hope there's no hard feelings between us," Catherine said.
"No, of course not. I'm sorry for what I said a few weeks ago and I'm sorry I didn't apologize at the time," Sara offered.
"It's okay. Grissom told me that you had good reason to be upset," Catherine told her.
"He didn't tell you more than that did he?" Sara asked, worriedly.
"No, he just said to trust him. And I do, so whatever it was, I'm sorry. I'm sure I didn't help things out by provoking you," Catherine gave Sara a quick, awkward hug, "so good luck with your new job in Denver."
"Thanks," Sara smiled, "and hopefully some day you'll get rid of Ecklie around here."
"I can only dream," Catherine laughed, "at least you're getting away from him."
"And a few other people around here," Sara added.
"Grissom?" Catherine asked.
"I was actually thinking of Sofia, and Hodges, I still don't like that guy," Sara shook her head.
"Yeah. You get to go get used to all new people and a whole new lab, that should be fun. Not to mention the whole interstate moving part," Catherine said, "I guess I don't entirely envy you."
"I was the new person here, and it wasn't exactly easy to fit in. If I hadn't known Grissom, it would have been so much harder. But the people at the lab in Denver seem really nice, so I think I'll like there," Sara said, "one of them even offered to let me live with her until I find my own place."
"Wow, that does sound nice," Catherine said, "well good luck with your new job and everything at the new lab. I wish things were better around here so you didn't have to leave."
"I don't know, I might have left anyway. It just feels like I'm falling into a rut and I needed some sort of change," Sara explained.
"Yeah," Catherine agreed, everyone had noticed the changes in Sara the past year or more and mostly had attributed it to Grissom. Maybe there was something else too, that Sara was not telling them.
"I better get back to the party before they wonder what happened," Sara said.
"Well, if I don't see you again before you leave, goodbye," Catherine told her.
"Goodbye," Sara returned.
Nick and Warrick each caught Sara to say goodbye before she headed back to the break room. Her goodbyes with Nick almost made both of them cry.
"Hey, some tough guy you are," Sara joked to stop the tears.
"What do you mean?" Nick quickly hid any evidence of tears.
"I saw your eyes glistening," Sara teased.
"You saw nothing," Nick poked her, "I really am going to miss you, Sara."
"I'll miss you too, Nick, maybe you can come visit me on your next vacation, if you don't have plans for anything better," Sara suggested.
"Oh you can count on me coming to see you," Nick grinned, "you can't get rid of me that easily."
Sara laughed, "I don't want to get rid of you. I'm just getting a new job before I burn out."
"Good luck in Denver, Sara," Nick kissed her cheek, "I better report to my boss before I get in trouble."
Sara had to take a minute to gather herself before re-entering the break room. This was turning out to be a little harder than she originally thought. At least she had the rest of the night before the others said their goodbyes. If they all said goodbye now, she might lose it.
"Grissom had to go back to his office and I'm not sure where Sofia went," Greg announced when Sara spotted only Brass sitting with him.
"And I've got to be going too," Brass told her, "but I wanted to wait in case I don't see you again tonight. Walk with me, Sidle."
Sara followed Brass out of the lab and towards his car.
"I just didn't want to say goodbye in front of Greg," Brass explained, "I can't believe you're leaving."
"It did come up suddenly, I realize that, but I think I need this," Sara said.
"Yes, well just take care of yourself, and if you ever get into any kind of trouble and you need my help, don't be afraid to call me," Brass told her.
"Thanks, I'll remember that," Sara smiled, "I think this move will be good for everyone. I have the feeling I'm bringing everyone else down with me."
"Are you still drinking?" Brass asked.
"No," Sara furrowed her brow, "how'd you know about that?"
"I saw you popping cough drops that one time, then I heard about your almost arrest for DUI. Things get around the police department just like they do around the lab. I put a stop to any rumors before they got carried away," Brass explained.
"Really? I never knew that. Thanks for that. I promise, I'm not drinking anymore. Grissom made me see a counselor and I realized I was self-destructing," Sara admitted.
"Good, it's hard to stop, but I'm glad to hear you've got things under control. I guess goodbye and good luck to you," Brass told her.
"Goodbye and thanks Jim," Sara said as he got in his car.
Sara watched Brass drive away and thought about his words to her. The more people she had to say goodbye to, the harder she realized this was going to be. She took a few deep breaths and reminded herself of all the reason she had for moving to Denver. It would be hard at first, but she'd get used to it and hopefully end up happier. It was nearly time for shift to start, so she headed back for the break room where Sofia was now sitting with Greg again.
"Hey Sara, ready to start your last shift?" Sofia asked.
"I'm ready to just get it over with," Sara sat next to Greg at the table.
"I made my special coffee for you Sara," Greg handed her a cup, "for your last night here."
"Thanks Greg," Sara took the cup and sipped, "now I'm going to miss this."
"Ah then you'll love your going away present," Greg whipped out a bag of coffee, "for the road."
"Greg, you are the best," Sara smiled.
"What's so special about the coffee?" Sofia asked, never having had any.
"It's one of the best kinds of coffee in the world, but sorry I gave the last cup to Sara," Greg explained.
"That's okay," Sofia had the feeling she was missing out, but didn't want to press the issue over coffee.
"It's going to be so weird around here without you, Sara," Greg said after a minute of silence.
"You'll get along just fine," Sara told him.
"I know, but you've really helped me on my road to becoming a CSI," Greg told her, "everyone has. So it's going to feel weird with you gone. And with Nick, Warrick and Catherine on a different shift. Things have just changed so much around here lately."
"Change is part of life," Sofia said.
"Ready for assignments?" Grissom asked, entering the room, "since you're leaving Sara, you'll just have to work on a case with Sofia and Greg. You guys have got three DBs at a convenience store."
"Let's go," Greg jumped up and Sofia followed. Sara stayed behind for a minute to get her goodbye to Grissom out of the way.
"So, this is your last case in Vegas," Grissom said.
"Yeah," Sara replied.
There was a moment of awkward silence between them.
"Look, I know things have gotten bad between us. I'm sorry for my part in that. I am really sad to see you go, Sara, you're such a talented CSI. The lab will be missing you," Grissom finally said.
"Well, thanks for the times you have been there for me, I really appreciate it," Sara said softly.
"I'm glad you were able to share with me what you did, I know it had to be hard," Grissom said.
"It was," Sara nodded, "but my counselor said I had to tell someone."
"I hope you're not just trying to run from that," Grissom said, "you know I won't tell anyone."
"It's not that, it's just…I feel like I'm heading for burnout and I think a new city will help with that," Sara explained, "I better go before they wonder what happened to me."
"Goodbye Sara," Grissom called after her, adding inaudibly, "I'm going to miss you."
A/N: Wow, this chapter came out long. It took a while to write too. I believe this will be the last chapter in Las Vegas. Thanks for all who are reading this story, I always appreciate the reviews! I also want to thank you for being patient while I had a bit of writer's block and delayed updating this story for a while!